Nurburgring: How the world's most famous track went bust

The iconic German circuit is embroiled in financial and political problems that threaten its very existence. Dieter Rencken explains what's going on, while fearing for its future as an F1 venue and as a motorsport mecca

Back in February this column first chronicled the financial woes of arguably the greatest circuit of all time, the Nurburgring. Dubbed the "Green Hell" by Jackie Stewart back in 1968 after he won that year's German Grand Prix in atrocious weather – gross mismanagement had brought it to its knees.

Eight years after Stewart's epic four-minute win, the circuit snaking through central Germany's Eifel Mountains almost took the life of reigning champion Niki Lauda in a fiery shunt after the Austrian slammed into the barriers lining the 14.189-mile track. Thereafter the writing was on the wall.